Early molecular assessment of osseointegration in humans.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the early temporal-wide genome transcription regulation by the surface topography at the bone-implant interface of implants bearing microroughened or superimposed nanosurface topology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four commercially pure titanium implants (2.2 × 5.0 mm) with either a moderately roughened surface (TiOblast) or super-imposed nanoscale topography (Osseospeed) were placed (n = 2/surface) in edentulous sites of eleven systemically healthy subjects and subsequently removed after 3 and 7 days. Total RNA was isolated from cells adherent to retrieved implants. A whole-genome microarray using the Affymetrix Human gene 1.1 ST Array was used to describe the gene expression profiles that were differentially regulated by the implant surfaces. RESULTS: There were no significant differences when comparing the two implant surfaces at each time point. However, the microarray identified several genes that were differentially regulated at day 7 vs. day 3 for both implant surfaces. Functionally relevant categories related to the extracellular matrix (ECM), collagen fibril organization, and angiogenesis were upregulated at both surfaces (day7 vs. day3). Abundant upregulation of several differential markers of alternative activated macrophages was observed (e.g., MRC1, MSR1, MS4A4A, SLC38A6, and CCL18). The biological processes involved with the inflammatory/immune response gene expression were concomitantly downregulated. CONCLUSIONS: Gene regulation implicating collagen fibrillogenesis and ECM organization as well as the inflammatory/immune responses involving the alternative activated pathway are observed in implant adherent cells at early (3-7 days) after implantation. These gene expression events may indicate a pivotal role of collagen fibrillogenesis as well as immunomodulation in altering bone accrual and biomechanical physical properties of the implant-bone interface.

Implant-supported fixed dental rehabilitation with monolithic zirconia: a clinical case report.

OBJECTIVE: Veneer chipping in bilayered ceramic restorations is a current problem reported with significant frequency. CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: This clinical report describes the use of a monolithic, implant-supported restoration with gingiva-colored ceramics. Good esthetic and functional results were achieved with no complications reported after 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Prosthetic rehabilitation using monolithic zirconia may help to prevent complications associated with bilayered ceramics systems. Further studies are essential to provide long-term data about the performance of this type of prostheses.

A Retrospective, Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Case Series Study Evaluating Outcomes of CAD/CAM Abutments on Implants from Four Manufacturers: 4-Year Mean Follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical, radiographic, and prosthetic outcomes of a single custom CAD/CAM abutment system on implants from four manufacturers, with a mean clinical service of 4 years in a retrospective, multicenter case series study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult subjects (n = 142) previously restored with titanium or gold-shaded titanium nitride custom CAD/CAM abutments (Atlantis, Dentsply Sirona; n = 259) connected to implants from four different manufacturers (Dentsply Sirona Implants [AT], Biomet 3i [BM], Nobel Biocare [NB], Straumann [ST]), irrespective of implant-abutment interface, and replacing one or more teeth in any position were recalled for a single-visit examination by calibrated investigators at six university clinics. The primary outcomes evaluated included abutment success and survival; secondary outcomes included assessment of papillae fill, probing pocket depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), marginal bone levels (MBLs), and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). RESULTS: Two-hundred fifty-five (98.5%) abutments supported cement-retained restorations, and four (1.5%) abutments supported screw-retained restorations. Forty-two patients had 64 AT implants (25%), 31 patients had 61 BM implants (24%), 26 patients had 50 NB implants (19%), and 43 patients had 84 ST implants (32%). The overall implant-CAD/CAM abutment success rate was 92.66% (95% CI: 88.78%, 95.53%) for all implants examined, and the survival rate was 98.84% (95% CI: 96.65%, 99.76%) for all implants evaluated. The Jemt papillae index demonstrated a minimum of at least 50% to complete fill of the interproximal papillae in 65.0% of sites. PDs had a median value of 3.0 mm, and BOP was present on 19% of abutment surfaces. Mean MBL changes from the time of placement to exam were -0.24 ± 0.99 mm (-4.9 to 2.3; P = .058) for mesial sites and -0.32 ± 0.96 mm (-4.9 to 2.1; P = .000) for distal sites. PROMs expressed 93% of patients reporting good to very good masticatory function, 97% of patients reporting being satisfied or very satisfied with their esthetic outcomes, and 94% of patients indicating that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their overall implant-restorative outcomes. CONCLUSION: This retrospective, multicenter clinical study of FDA 510k-approved titanium CAD/CAM abutments of a single manufacturer on multiple implant systems demonstrated high levels of success and survival as well as stable peri-implant tissue outcomes, reflected by overwhelmingly positive PROMs.

The role of complete overdentures in esthetic rehabilitation of the adolescent oligodontia patient. A case report.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Dental agenesis is a common developmental anomaly among human populations. It presents with varying degrees of severity. Oligodontia present in the permanent dentition may have significant esthetic, psychosocial, as well as functional implications. CASE PRESENTATION: A case of oligodontia in an adolescent patient treated with conventional overdentures is presented in this article. A thorough medical and dental history were taken. Comprehensive clinical and radiographic examinations were made. Diagnostic casts were mounted. The prosthetic denture teeth were set and followed by esthetic and phonetic evaluation. Following approval by the patient, the overdentures were processed in heat cure resin using the conventional techniques. RESULTS: Good esthetic results were achieved. Patient was satisfied with the final prostheses. CONCLUSION: Simple prosthodontic solutions can be utilized to aid patients with dental agenesis. These have great implications for the patient's self image. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Oligodontias are common. The literature frequently addresses esthetic rehabilitation using fixed prostheses and dental implants. This case report illustrates the value of removable prosthodontic procedures as one approach to fulfilling the requirements of esthetic rehabilitation of a young oligodontia patient.